tujhse jab tak is tarah apni shanasai na thi

tujh se jab tak is tarah apnī shanāsā.ī na thī

apne ghar jaisī to sahrā meñ bhī tanhā.ī na thī

ab to rashk aatā hai ḳhud apne hī jumloñ par hameñ

is se pahle thī magar ye shān-e-goyā.ī na thī

ab mujhe kyoñ apne mustaqbil kā aatā hai ḳhayāl

aaj tak shāyad mire hamrāh dānā.ī na thī

tajraboñ ke vāste kuchh laġhzishoñ kī chhūT hai

ab maiñ samjhā kyoñ mujhe har baat samjhā.ī na thī

ālam-e-hairat meñ guzre haiñ vahāñ se bhī jahāñ

zindagī apnī tarah be-aks-o-be-ā.īna thī

vo kahāñ hai manzaroñ meñ DhūñDte ho tum jise

ghar se kyoñ nikle the jab nazroñ meñ ra.anā.ī na thī

tujh se milne tak na thā ḳhud-e'timādī kā patā

aur kuchh apnī tabī.at ne jilā paa.ī na thī

vaise to ab tak banā.īñ kitnī tasvīreñ 'rabāb'

shauq kī had tak magar rangoñ meñ gahrā.ī na thī

tujh se jab tak is tarah apni shanasai na thi

apne ghar jaisi to sahra mein bhi tanhai na thi

ab to rashk aata hai KHud apne hi jumlon par hamein

is se pahle thi magar ye shan-e-goyai na thi

ab mujhe kyon apne mustaqbil ka aata hai KHayal

aaj tak shayad mere hamrah danai na thi

tajrabon ke waste kuchh laghzishon ki chhuT hai

ab main samjha kyon mujhe har baat samjhai na thi

aalam-e-hairat mein guzre hain wahan se bhi jahan

zindagi apni tarah be-aks-o-be-aina thi

wo kahan hai manzaron mein DhunDte ho tum jise

ghar se kyon nikle the jab nazron mein ranai na thi

tujh se milne tak na tha KHud-e'timadi ka pata

aur kuchh apni tabiat ne jila pai na thi

waise to ab tak banain kitni taswiren 'rabab'

shauq ki had tak magar rangon mein gahrai na thi